in which we discuss facebook, story-seasons, and a tree stump.

So I'm beginning to realize that, until sometime in March, I'll probably be sharing story-related posts. The last thing I want is to turn this blog into a perpetual neon arrow pointing to myself like, Look, ye! This girl is the best thing since Starburst invented Yon Bags of Reds!

But I don't want you to miss some of the things that are happening. And I like it when authors talk about the behind-the-scenes moments of their book, so I thought you might, too. And if updates and behind-the-scenes stuff happens to be your bag, I now have an author Facebook page to absorb some of this information (and share pictures of my sweet dog). You are most welcome to kick off your shoes and come visit!


Here's the link:  http://tinyurl.com/mwxc7ml

This blog has really only ever been a place to ponder the whimsy in my world. It has never been organized enough to have a theme. Or any kind of tagline. I'm not a "blogger." I prefer to focus on what I love on here, and write about whatever makes my heart spin. I think the format of blogging can be fun, and I've tried to make this a mix of writing-related endeavors and more candid thoughts. For this particular story-season, those two spheres are about to eclipse.

The other day I was chatting about Book Stuff with one of my closest friends, aka the amazingly talented author Jenny B. Jones. (Who still won't write a sequel to Save the Date no matter how hard I beg.) (But I beg weekly, because persistence is one of my strengths.) And she said, "You are an idiot if you don't document all this somehow."

Now, I realize she did not mean that everything happening needs to be documented on a blog.

But, truth: this will never happen again.

And I don't mean it like: I will never write another book again. I'm presently working on my second novel for Scholastic, and I am over the moon about working with them again. That's such a gift, and I'm not taking it lightly.

I just mean that no day happens twice. I don't remember who said, "Everything is a once in a lifetime experience." But it's a quote I've been thinking through lately.

Just working with Scholastic was a dream come true. I never thought people would connect with this story so soon. I didn't think I'd get to talk stories with so many fellow, wonderful, kindred-spirit booknerds. It's been a dream. I'm so grateful that even Felicity Pickle couldn't find the right word to express it. Not everything in the past year has been a dream, of course. There have been some really dark days to push through, too. That's always how it is, isn't it? Some days, you're in the Shire. Some days, you're in the bowels of Mordor.

But the story part of this season has been one of the sweetest experiences I'll ever have.

And still, I'm always so conscious of the balance between sharing good news, and encouraging you as you write ... vs. writing what becomes the virtual equivalent of standing on a tree stump and blowing my own horn.

... I don't know why I imagined a tree stump in that scenario. Is it because I'm short? Ha!

So for a while, blog posts will be short, and lots of them will be updates. But please don't read between the lines that I think I'm awesome. I'm not. Proof: I just asked ModCloth to email me when they re-stock My Little Pony coffee mugs.

(Nothing brings all the boys to the yard like Lord of the Rings and My Little Pony references, just fyi. Form an orderly line, gents!)

I'm trying to find a way to document all of this somehow. And I want to share it with you however I can. I hope you'll be patient with me while I figure out the right balance.

If you read anything between the lines of these updates it's this:

You're not out of time.
You haven't missed your chance.

I don't know the shine of your particular dreams, but I know they're worth dreaming. Don't just stare at them until you see spots. Run at them with your whole heart. I don't believe the old adage that hard work gets you exactly where you want; it does not. I've known too many kind, intelligent, talented men and women who seem to get nothing but unlucky breaks .... for no other reason than the crappy fact that life is really, really hard and dark days are a plenty. But good days are coming, too. And sometimes all the work you've done, and that tricky, tricky thing called timing, align in a magical way.

So here's to stars in your eyes and stardust on your eyelashes and the brave, brave heart you wear on your sleeve.

Steady on, sweet dreamer. It's a story-season, after all.